Feed mechanism for turning-machines



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. W. TUCKER.

FEED MEGHANISM FOR TURNING MACHINES.

No. 540,285. Patented June 4, 1895.

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. W. W. TUCKER.

FEED MBGHAN-ISM FON TURNING MACHINES.

No. 540,285. Patented June 4, 1895.

Witngslses: inventa/0. QaMQ// William W Tucker.

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(No Model.) a sheets-sheet s.v

W. W. TUCKER.

FEED MEGHANISM FOR TURNING MAGHNBS.

No. 540,285. Patented June 4, 1895.

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entre autres VILLIAM IV. TUCKER, OFI-IARTFCRD, CONNECTICUT.

FEED MECHANISM FORgTUfRNING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,285, dated June 4,1895. i

Application filed sanary `15, 1 895.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. TUCKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hart-` ford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new andj useful Improvements in FeedMechanism for Turning-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to turning-machines,` and more especially tomachines of that class adapted for metal turning; the object of theinvention being to provide a machine of this class, in which arelatively-short. longitudinal` surface of a blank, or rod, may beturned with a relatively-rapid speed of operation, and a relatively-longlongitudinal surface of' said blank or rod may be turned with arelatively` slow speed of operation, as compared with that of theturning of the relatively-short, longitudinal portion of such rod orblank, and to carry out the two turning operations successively; so thatin a machine of a given capacity, when operating upon the stock at onerate of speed, which rate is necessarily slow in turning arelatively-long longitudinal portion or surface of the stock or blank,any portion of such stock or blank, which is of a differentcross-section from that of the major portion of the stock, and isrelatively short iny longitudinal direction, as compared with such majorportion of the work, may be turned with a relatively-rapid speed ofoperation, as compared with, and either before or after, the turning ofthe longer turning of the blank, and the capacity of the machinecorrespondingly increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in connection with aturning-machine, adapted for operating upon stock having one portionthereof relatively short in longitudinal direction, as compared with theother, and of a greater cross-section than that of the other, means forturning down the relativelyshort portion of the stock with arelativelyrapid rate of operation; and means for automaticallydecreasing the rate ot' turning the stock at the beginning of theturning of the longer portion of the piece being operated upon.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this application,Figure l is a plan of a turning-machine constructed in accordance SerialNo. 538.565. (No model.)

with my presentimprovements, portions of the apparatus being removed toshow the construction. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional end elevation,the section being taken in line mx, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a rear elevationlooking from the upper side of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a horizontallongitudinal sectional plan, the section being taken in line y y, Fig.3. Fig. 5 isI a detail vertical sectional elevation, the section beingtaken in line a z, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig.Gis a detail horizontal sectional plan, the section being taken in lineo o, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a detailsectional elevation taken in line t t, Fig. 2, and also lcoking in thedirection of the arrow.

' Like characters designate like parts in all the figures.

My invention comprises, in part, and in combination with a frame havinga rotary stock-carrying spindle, and with a cutter disposed at one sideof the spindle-axis and adapted for movement toward and from the saine;means for feeding the cutter toward and from the spindle at the rate ofmovement, to turn down the stock with a corresponding speed ofoperation; and means for varying, or automatically changing, the rate offeed of the cutter toward the spindle after a predetermined period ofopertion, to thereby Vary the speed of the turning operation upon thestock, all of which Will be hereinafter more fully described.

lviy present improvements are designed for use in connection with amachine for turning bicycle-hub blanks or other hub-blanks, and

are particularly applicable to the hub-blankmaking machine shown in myPatent No. 527,907, granted October23, 189 t. In this former patent, Ihave shown a machine particularly adapted and intended for the formationof nished hub-blanks from a continuous metallic rod, while in thepresent case my improvements are especially designed for the turningdown of hub-blanks previously formed in the usual manner of forgingarticles of this kind.

It will be remembered, that in my former patent, a cutter was given aprogressive feed toward the stock, during the entire operation ofturning the rod, which rate of feed was maintained, unchanged throughoutthe en- IOO tire operation. This feed was necessarily a slow one, owingto the fact that the blanks had to be formed from a continuous rod ofapproximately the same crosssection at all points thereof, and hence along cutting-edge was at times operating upon the blank, both during theturning down of the central journal portion of the hub, and during thesubsequent turning of the flanged or dished portions of the hub-blank.In the present case, however, owing to the fact that, as before stated,the hub-blank is first roughly formed by forging, to approximate to theshape of the finished article, it is not necessary that the cutter orcutters operate continuously upon the long, central, journal portion, orhub proper, of the blank; but only that said cutter, or cutters, turnthe blank during a portion of the operation. sary, of course, that thecutter be fed at the same relatively-slow rate of movement in bothcases, during the turning down of the journal portion of the hub-blank,it is not essential that such slow feed of the cutter be maintainedduring the turning of the flanged or dished portions of the hub-blanks,when said blanks are first formed approximatelyto shape by forging; and,in the present application, I have shown, and will hereinafter describemeans for feeding the cutter at a relatively rapid rate of movement,during the tu'rning of the fianged portions of the blank, as comparedwith the rate of feed of said cutter, during the turning of the journalportion of the blank.

For the purposes of the present application, only so much of a turning,or hub-blankmaking machine is herein shown, as is necessary for clearlyillustrating the operation of my present improvements; and for a moredetailed description of the same, reference is made to my prior patenthereinbefore referred to.

The framework of the machine, which may be of any suitable constructionfor carrying the several operative details, is shown herein as similarto the ordinary lathe-frame,.and as consisting of a bed B, having theusual, longitudinal slideways 2 and 3. A turret T, is also shown assupported in the usual manner, upon a sliding carriage D, which carriagewill be reciprocated, long-itudinally of the bed in any suitable orwell-known manner, and will be held in place by any well-known means. Atthe opposite end of the machine, a spindle-carrying head is shown at H,as supporting for revolution a work-carrying spindle S, which will bedriven from any suitable source of power. Not herein shown.

Between the turret T and the spindle II, a slide-rest is shown at R, assupported upon the bed B, and disposed transversely thereto. Thisslide-rest is, or may be, formed of two horizontally-disposedslideblocks, both of which are movable together longitudinally of themachine, suitable fastening means being provided to maintain theslide-'rest in its adjusted position upon the bed. This slide-restAlthough it is neces- R has slideways at its upper side, and rangingtransversely of the bed B, two oppositelydisposed cutter-carrying slides6 and 7, being shown as supported therein, one at each side of thelongitudinal axis of the spindle; a right-and-left-hand screw F, beingalso shown as extending through the slide rest, and adapted forsimultaneously actuating both of the cutter-slides, toward or from, ,thespindle. This feed-screw is held against longitudinal movement in anywell known manner, and as a means for rotating the same, to actuate thecutters carried by slides 6 and 7, I have shown herein an automaticchangeable dropfeed -mechanism in connection therewith. Thisfeed-mechanism is shown as having a horizontal shaft 15, journaled inbearings at the rear of the frame of the machine; and a pinion 16 whichmeshes with a pinion 17 upon a Worm shaft 18, carrying a worm 19,adapted to mesh with a worm-Wheel 20, carried upon a stud 21, having agear-wheel 22, driving a corresponding gear-wheel 23 upon the feedscrewF. The shaft 15 is driven by any suitable means, not herein shown, andthe wormshaft 18 is shown as rotatively-supported in bearings in the armof a bracket or rockframe 18', mounted for oscillation upon the shaft15; a shifting-lever 25, being shown connected with this rock-frame, andhaving a spring 26 for normally holding the lever elevated, and the wormoutof engagement, with the worm-wheel. In the drawings, however, thenormal position is not illustrated, as the worm is shown in engagementwith said worm- Wheel. The lever 25 is shown as having alug 28, adaptedto be engaged by the lower end of a lever 27, pivoted to the rest R; thelever 27, having its upper arm in the path of movement of a trippingdevice, such as the adjustable-stop 29, carried upon one of thetoolcarrying slides; and also having a spring 30 for normallymaintaining the lower end of this locking-lever in engagement with thecatch or lug 28. The movements of these levers 25 and 27 will be limitedby suitable stops.

The construction of the drop-feed devices, just described, issubstantially identical with that of the corresponding mechanismillustrated in my prior patent, hereinbefore referred to; and, for amore particular description of the details of said feed devices,yreference may be had to said patent.

In practice, the feed-screw F will be provided at one end thereof, witha hand-wheel l2, by means of which the screw may be turned to bring thecutters into workingposition, or to retract the same, when the feedmechanism is thrown out of Working position. In the form thereof, hereinshown, the cutters, designated respectively by C and C', areapproximately circular in cross-section, each of these tools being cutaway at one side, to form a cutting-edge 34, the contour of saidcutting-edge, in the present case, conforming to the contour of one-halfof the wheel-hub which is to be IIO turned. The two cutters are soconstructed, and so adjusted, relatively to each other, and totheblanlr, as to finish the turningl of the entire hub-blank at onecontinuous operation, one cutter acting upon and turning one-half, andthe opposite cutter turning the other half, of the forging; and thecutters acting upon opposite sides, and at opposite ends of the forging,and having their inner cutting edges in overlapping planes. Theconstruction of the cutters, and of the slides, and the organization ofthe same, and their holding and adjusting devices, may be substantiallythe same as described in my patent hereinbefore referred to.

The turret T will preferably be provided with a series of tools (notshown), for drilling and counterboring one end'of the rough forging, andis also provided with a carrying-pin 52 for engaging and centering thatend of the forging which is adjacent to the turret, and for supportingthesaid end during the entire cutting operation. This carrying-pinpreferably slides through,and is guided in, the longitudinal bore of asupporting guide-block, shown at 53, as iiXedly-carried intermediate ofthe turret and the blank to be operated upon. This guide-block is alsopreferably provided with adjusting-screws, for permitting adjustmentthereof, and for locking the same in its adjusted position.

It will be evident from the foregoing description, that if the pinion16, were fixedlysecured to the shaft 15, the feed-screw F, with the worm19 in mesh with the worm-Wheel 20, would be continuously actuated at thesame speed of movement, and that the rate of feed ofthe cutters wouldalways be the same. In order to provide for a variable rate of feed ofsaid cutters, the pinion 16 is shown, however, as loosely mounted uponthis shaft 15, and as in connection witha differential train of gearingfor imparting, in accordance withthe action of a suitable clutch device,a faster or slower rotative movement to the pinion 16. In the formthereof herein shown, the differential train of gearing comprises a pairof terminal gears, or spur wheels and 76, loosely mounted upon the shaft15, and a second pair of co-operating, connected spur wheels 77 and 78,sleeved upon a pin or stud 79, fixed transversely of a bracket formed bytwo hangers SO and 80', depending from the rear side of the slide-restR. Each of the spur-wheels 75 and 76 is shown as held in place in onedirection, longitudinally of the shaft 15, and relatively to the hangers80 and 80 by the flanged sides of the bearings 81 and S1 of thesehangers. As a means for facilitating the adjustment of members of thedifferential .train in position, each of these hangers is shown asformed in two parts, the line of division being along the median line ofthe journal formed in the bearings 8l and Sl', and the two halves ofeach hanger being bolted together. The spur-wheel 76 is also shown ashavingalong hub, orjournal 76', andaiianged end 76" upon said hub, andengaging the face 82 of the bearing 81', while the spur-wheel 75 isshown as having a long hub or sleeve S3, mounted upon the shaft 15 andwithin the bushing Set of the rock-frame 1S. The sleeve S3 is also shownas having iiXedly-secured to the end thereof the pinion 16, so that therotation of the spur-wheel 75 will also actuate said pinion. Thegear-wheels 76 and 77 are shown herein as a one-to-one train of gears,and the gear-wheels 78 and 75, as a one-to-two train of gears, so thatwhen the pinion 16 is rotated directly by the spur-wheel 75, its speedof movement will be twice as great as when rotated from the spur-wheel76 through the gear-wheels of the differential-train. i

As a means for coupling either one of the spur-wheels 75 or 76 to theshaft 15, aclutchsleeve, designated in a general way by L, is shownherein as splined upon the shaft l5 and intermediate of, and slidableinto and out of operative relation with the two gear-wheels 75 and 76.Each of these gear-wheels is shown as having a clutch-member fixed toits inner end and designated respectively by 85 and 85', and theclutchsleeve L is also shown as having co-operating clutch-members 86and 86 upon its opposite ends. These clutchmembers upon the sleeve L andupon the respective gear-wheels 75 and 76 are preferably formed withengaging-teeth, so that the coupling constitutes a double crown-clutch.lntermediate of the clutch-members 86 and S6', the sleeve L is shown asformed with a peripheral-guideway or groove 87, the Walls of which areadapted to receive, and be engaged by a friction-shoe 88, carried uponthe end of a shifting-lever 89, pivotally-mounted upon the rest R. Thisshifting-lever is shown as of a bellcrank construction, and as havingits opposite end pivotally-connected with one end of a slide 90, mountedfor longitudinal reciprocation in a bracket 91, secured to the left-handside of the slide-rest. The slide 90 is adapted andintended to hold thelever S9 in such a position, that during the first portion of theturning operation, the clutch-member 86 will be engaged with theco-operating clutch-member 85 of the spur-wheel; and this slide is alsoadapted to be automaticallyshifted in position,so as to release theclutchmember S5, and to `cause the engagement of the two members 85 and'86 of'the opposite clutch, after a determined period of operation ofthe machine. In the present case, the slide 90 is shown as provided witha stop 90 upon its outer side, said stop being herein shown as aneyebolt screwed into the slide, and adapted to permit the sliding of arod or pin 92 therethrough. This guide-pin isshown as connected at itsforward end to the bracket 91, and as carrying between the innerstop-faces of this bracket and the stop 90', a spiralspring 93, which isadapted to be held under compression, when the clutch-members 85 and 86are in engagement.

As a means for normally holding the slide IOC IIO

90 in its forward position with the spring 93 under compression, saidslide is shown as provided with a stop-pin 94 having an inclined face94', and this stop or pin is adapted to be engaged and held by a detent95', carried at the lower end of a lever 95, pivoted' upon the left-handside of the slide-rest R, for oscilla tion in a plane substantiallyparallel with the longitudinal axis of the machine. This lever has itspivotal point, in the present case, in an eyebolt 96", screwed into theside 'of the slide-rest, and said lever is normally held by means of aspring, such as 97, in engagement with the forward side of the pin 94.As a means for releasing the detent 95' from engagement with the pin 91-of the slide 90, the lever 95 is shown as provided at its upper end witha releasing-member 95", formed as a portion ofthe lever itself, andhaving tapering faces converging toward .the adjacent face of theslide-rest R; and, as a means for engaging this releasing-member, andreleasing the detent 95' from engagement with the pin 94, a tripping-arm96 is shown herein as mounted upon the slide of one of the cutters formovement with such cutter-slide, this tripping-de vice beingreciprocatory across the face of the member 95".

From the foregoing, it will be evident that during the turning down ofthe flanged or dished portions of the forging W (which it will beunderstood has been iirst drilled and counterbored at that end thereof,which is engaged by the carrying-pin 52), the clutchmembers S5 and 86will be in engagement, and the spur 16, rotating in unison with theshaft 15, will feed the screw F with a relatively-rapid rate ofmovement, and thereby also the cutters C and C'. During this portion ofthe operation, the slide 90 will lie in its forward position with thepin 94, engaged by the detent 95' of the lever 95, and with said pin inadvance of said lever, the parts being in the positions shown in fulllines in the drawings, and the spring 93 being under compression. Thetripping device 96, is preferabl y adjustable, in any desired manner,longitudinally of the slide 6, as shown in Fig. 2, the adjustment beingeffected in this case by means of screws 97, engaging the walls oflongitudinal slots in the carrier-plate 96', upon which the tripping-armis secured. If the tripping-arm has been properly adjusted, it will beevident, that when the first stage of the turning operation iscompleted; that is, the turning of the flanged or dished portions of theblank, and immediately before the beginning of the turning of thejournal portion of the hub-blank, the tripping-arm will engage theadjacent,l tapered side of the releasingmember 95", and throw the upperarm of the lever 95 toward the left-hand side of the machine, againstthe action of the spring97; and, by the oscillation of this member uponits pivot, will cause the release of the detent 95 from the stop 94 uponthe slide 90, whereupon the slide will be actuated toward the rear ofthe machine by the spring 93, and the shifting-lever 89 will be thrownto the position shown inl dotted lines in Fig. 1, the clutch-member 86being at the same time released from the co-operating member 85, and thecoupling of the members 85'and 86', being effected. The gear-wheel 76will then rotate in unison with the shaft 15, and the spur-wheel and thepinion 16 will rotate with a relatively-slow movement, as compared withthe rate of rotation of the shaft 15, and hence the feed-screw F willfeed the cutters C and C with a relativelyslow movement,dur7 ing theturning down of the journal portion of the hub-blank, as compared withthe rate of feed of said cutters, during the turning of the flanged ordished portions of this blank; and this relatively-slow rate of feed ofthe cutters will be maintained until the completion of the turningoperation, when the stop, or trip 29, will engage the upper end of thelocking-lever 27, and release the lower end of said lever from the stop28 upon the lever 25, when the rockframe 1S' will be oscillated upon theshaft 15, and the worm 19 disengaged from the teeth of the Worm-Wheel 20in the usual manner.

After the completion of the operation, it will of course, be understoodthat the slide 90 will be returned to its forward position, as by meansof the operating-handle 98, before the beginning of the turning ofanother blank, and that the cutters will also be retracted, by means ofthe hand-Wheel 12, actuating the feed-screw F; also that the normalpositions of the worm, and of the controlling levers and devicestherefor, will be re-established.

It will be obvious, that, by means of my improved turning-machine, oneportion of the stock may be turned down at a relativelyrapid rate ofoperation, and that the other, or long portion of the stock may beturned at a relatively-slow rate of operation, and that by thisprovision of a changeable feed, the capacity of such a machine will bevery greatly increased. These movements are especially advantageous inthe operation of a machine of the class which has been hereinparticularly described, as a great saving of time is effected by firstforming the blanks approximately to shape, as by forging, and thenfinishing said blanks by first turning down, with a relatively-rapidspeed of operation, the flanged or dished portions of the hub-blank, andsubsequently turning off only a small portion of the journal surface, orhub proper of the blank, by a relatively-slow feed of the cutters.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. .In a machine of theclass specified, the combination with a rotary stock-carrying spindle;and with a turning-down cutter dis posed at one side of the spindleaxis, and adapted for reciprocation toward and from the same; ofchangeable-speed feeding mechanism for reciprocating said cutter towardsaid spindle, at different rates of movement,

IOO

ter toward said spindle at one rate of movet ment, and thereby turningdown the stock at one rate of speed; and automatic changeablespeedfeeding mechanism connected with the cutter for automatically changingthe rate of reciprocation of said cutter, after a predetermined periodof operation,and thereby turning down the stock at a different rate ofspeed, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a rotarystock carrying spindle; and with a turningdown cutter disposed at-oneside of the spindle axis, and adapted for reciprocation toward and fromthe same; of means for reciprocating said cutter toward said spindle, ata relatively-rapid rate of operation, and thereby turning down the stockat a relatively-rapid rate of speed; and automatic changeable speedfeeding mechanism connected with the cutter for automatically changingthe rate of reci procation of the cutter, and reciprocating said cuttertoward said spindle, at a relatively-slow rate of operation, after apredetermined period of the relatively-rapid rate of reciprocation ofthe cutter, to thereby turn down the stock at a relatively-slow rate ofspeed, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the class specified, the combination With a rotarystock carrying spindle; of two oppositely-disposed cutters located oneat eachside of the spindle-axis, and adapted for reciprocation towardand from the same; means for simultaneously reciprocating said cutterstoward said spindle at one rate of movement, and thereby turning downt-he stock at one rate of speed; and

automatic changeable-speed feeding mechanism connected With the cuttersfor automatically changing the rate of reciprocation of said cuttersafter a predetermined period of operation and simultaneouslyreciprocating the cutters toward the spindle at a different rate ofmovement, to thereby turn down the stock, at a different rate ofspeed,substantially as described.

5. In a machine of` the class specified, the combination with a rotarystock-carrying spindle; of two oppositely-disposed cutters located oneat each side of the spindle-axis, and adapted for reciprocation towardand from the same; means for simultaneously reciprocating said cutterstoward said spindle at a relatively-rapid rate of movement, and therebyturning down the stock with a relatively-rapid rate -of speed; andautomatic changeable-speed feeding mechanism connected with the cuttersfor automatically changing the rate of reciprocation of said cuttersafter a predetermined period of operation and simultaneouslyreciprocating the cutters toward the spindle, at a relativelyslovv rateof movement, to thereby turn down the stock at a relatively-slow rate ofspeed, substanltially as described.

6. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a rotarystock carrying spindle, of two oppositely-disposed cutters located oneat each side of the spindle-axis, slides supporting said cutters; feedmechanism for simultaneously actuating said slides toward or from eachother; a driving-shaft, a differential gear-train operatively-connectedwith the feed mechanism, and having its terminal gears loosely-mountedupon the drivingshaft; clutch-devices operative with said shaft, andadapted for operatively-connecting either of said terminal gears withsaid shaft; shifting mechanism normally holding one of said clutchdevices in engagement With one of the terminal gears of the differentialtrain; and a tripping device operated with a cutter-slide, and adaptedfor actuating the shifting mechanism, after a predetermined period ofmovement of said slide to release said clutch device, and connect theopposite clutch device with the other terminal gear of the diiferentialtrain, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class specified, the combination With a rotarystock-carrying spindle, and with a cutter disposed at one side of thespindle-axis, and adapted for movement toward and from the same; of achangeable-drop-feed mechanism controlling said cutter, and adapted foractuating the cutter toward the spindle, at one rate of movement for apredetermined period; means, connected With the cutter, forautomatically changing the rate of feed of said feed mechanism at theend of said period of operation; and automatic let-oft devices fordisconnecting said feed mechanism from operative connection With thecutter at the end of the turning operation, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the class specified, the combination With a rotarystock carrying spindle, of two oppositelydisposed cutters located, oneat eachside of the spindle-axis, and adapted for movement toward andfrom the same; a changeable-drop-feed mechanism controlling saidcutters, and adapted for simultaneously actuating the same toward thespindle at one rate of movement for a determined period; means actuatedby one of said cutters for automatically changing the rate of feed ofsaid feed mechanism at the end of said period of operation; andautomatic letoff devices for disconnecting said feed meehanism fromoperative connection with the cutter at the end of, the turningoperation, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the class specied, the combination with a rotarystockcarrying spindle, and With a cutter disposed at one side IOO of thespindle-axis, and adapted for move ment toward and from the same; of asliderest; a slide supporting said cutter, and carried by theslide-rest; feed mechanism for actuating said slide toward or from thespindle; adriving-shaft; a differential gear-train operatively-connectedwith the feed mechanism, and having its terminal gears looselymountedupon the driving-shaft; clutch devices, operative with said shaft, andadapted for operatively-connecting either of said terminal gears withsaid shaft; a shifting-lever normally holding one of said clutch devicesin engagement with one of the terminal gears of the differential train;an actuating-slide mounted upon the slide-rest, and connected WILLIAM W.TUCKER. Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, B. N. PARKER.

